Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Concordia Antarctic Seismic Experiment for the International Polar Year  (CASE-IPY)

Outline
The CASE-IPY project is part of a larger IPY initiative, the Polar Earth Observing Network (POLENET), which centers on the deployment of autonomous observing stations in Antarctica and around the Arctic sea. We propose deploying 10 broad-band seismometers in East Antarctica, starting at the French-Italian scientific base at Concordia, and trending southwards. Our deployment will be coordinated with those of our Italian, American and Australian colleagues in order to achieve maximum coverage of the East Antarctica Plateau and to share a maximum of logistical support. Our combined deployments will allow us to improve our knowledge of the crustal and lithospheric structure of East Antarctica, as well as to improve our sampling for core studies. East Antarctica is not thought to be a single undifferentiated craton, but to be constructed from several distinct lithospheric blocks. Investigations of crustal and lithospheric structure (from receiver functions, surface wave dispersion measurements and waveform modeling, analysis of ambient noise etc.) will corroborate the existence of these multiple units, and will help trace their boundaries. The seismic structure at the base of continental cratons seems to be linked to their dynamics. Determination of the lithospheric structure at the base of the East Antarctic craton, including lithospheric thickness and seismic anisotropy, will help clarify the link between plate dynamics and seismic structure. Furthermore, the CASE-IPY deployment will provide important North-South seismic paths that are required for core studies, including detailed analysis of inner core anisotropy. They will also improve the mapping of inner core heterogeneities, further the understanding of inner core differential rotation, and give insights into the properties of the core mantle boundary.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project has the following objectives: (1) Improve our knowledge of the regional crustal and lithospheric structure in East Antarctica, and in particular corroborate the existence and trace the boundaries of the multiple lithospheric blocs from which the continent was constructed. (2) Improve our sampling for inner core studies, for which stations at high latitudes are indispensable. These studies are necessary for understanding the mechanism of Earth formation.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project is part of the POLENET East Antarctica Network, which is itself an international collaborative effort. Our proposed seismic antenna will complete and connect the American, Australian and Italian deployments, thereby helping to create a single, large-footprint seismic array which will cover a substantial portion of the continent.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
We propose to do field work along a linear profile between the permanent base at Concordia, and AG01_camp, a temporary POLENET base almost directly South from Concordia.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 12/07 – 01/08      12/08 – 01/09      12/09 – 01/10

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Fixed wing transport aircraft. Existing permanent station (Concordia). Existing field station (AG01_camp).

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
All seismic stations deployed during this project will be recovered during the third field season. A number of these stations will then be re-deployed in a small aperture array near Concordia.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator

Most of our logistical support will be provided by IPEV, however any collaboration and logistical exchange with other polar operators would be much appreciated if possible.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes - The project has the endorsement of IPEV. Furthermore, it is an integral part of POLENET, which has the endorsement of the IPY.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
No

CASE-IPY is one of a consortium of free-standing projects federated into the POLENET initiative.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed as a free-standing project within the POLENET initiative. All field deployment decisions will be made jointly with our logistical partners, after concertation with other POLENET actors.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project will participate in the French national, regional and local education, outreach and communication initiatives for the International Polar Year.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All data obtained by the project will be made available to the global community in internationally recognized formats (SEED) as soon as is practical.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding for the project has been requested from the French national funding agency, the ANR. The 2007 deadline for project submission was March 1st, and we expect to be informed of the results by late June, early July 2007. We have requested 614,000 Euros from the ANR. IPEV have promised to take charge of a further 178,000 Euros in logistical costs.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Jean-Jacques Leveque
Institut de Physique du Globe de Strasbourg
5 rue Rene Descartes
67084 Strasbourg
France

Tel: +33 390 24 00 43
Mobile: no
Fax: +33 390 24 01 25
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation